Behavior Due to Male Specific Neurons

It has been postulated that the sex specific behaviors that occurs in flies is linked to male specific neurons. There are nine types of male specific neurons, each with specific roles in behavior. The behavior of male flies in pursuit is directly related to the visual perception through the acute zone. The behavior of the male fly occurs in relation to locating an object, tracking an object, interception of an object, and chasing. In these behaviors the male fly utilizes the acute zone to accomplish them, especially in the chase. While chasing another fly, the male keeps the target close enough so that the target will remain in the upper frontal retina, thus the male specific neurons. If the target goes out of range for the male specific neurons, the fly will compensate, yaw, pitch, and thrust, to return the target image into the area of male specific neurons. This behavior is found only in male flies, and while female flies are attracted to flickering objects as males are, they do not use have a different system to control yaw torque as males do. The males employ a position- independent system of tracking using yaw adjustments, relying on direction. This allows the males to intercept a target or change direction in tracking without overshooting the target. Females are unable to do this. The males also use pitch and thrust to pursue other flies. The position of the target in the mid-sagittal plane drives the pitch, based on the elevation of the target's image. Thrust relates to the distance between the pursuer and the target. The relationship between target range and velocity is shown to be male-specific behavior.